Machine for making and dispensing a liquid or semi-liquid product

ABSTRACT

A machine for making and dispensing cold or ice beverages, such as cool drinks, slushes, sorbets and the like, comprising at least: a containment and processing tank for the product to be dispensed which has a front wall, which is equipped at the bottom of it with a dispensing mouth for dispensing the beverage, a dispenser, located at the beverage dispensing mouth and able to be turned on or off to allow the beverage to be dispensed; a thermal treatment cylinder located inside the containment tank; a stirrer located outside an outer surface of said thermal treatment cylinder and adapted to rotate about a respective axis of rotation; a thermal treatment plant comprising a first exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a pressure reducing unit and a compressor, the first heat exchanger being located inside said thermal treatment cylinder.

This application claims priority to Italian Patent Application202017000016373 filed Feb. 14, 2017, the entirety of which isincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This innovation relates to a machine for making and dispensing a liquidor semi-liquid food product, in particular cold products such asslushes, sorbets, cold creams, soft ice cream, etc.

A need keenly felt in the sector in question is that of particularlyquickly bringing the product from the icy or semi-icy state to theliquid state, when it must be completely removed from the processingtank for cleaning/product substitution.

In fact, it is often the case that the product in the tank must besubstituted when a predetermined time has elapsed which makes saidproduct in the tank incompatible with selling and/or food safety.

In light of this, the icy product must be rendered liquid in order to beable to completely remove it from the tank in a fast, easy way.

Therefore, there is now a widespread need to have available a machinethat allows, in a particularly fast, easy way, the icy product to bebrought from the semi-solid, that is to say, icy state to the liquidstate, so that it can be easily extracted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of this innovation is therefore to meet the above-mentionedrequirements by providing a machine for making and dispensing a liquidor semi-liquid food product (hereinafter also defined as a cold or icebeverage), in particular but not limited to products such as slushes,sorbets, cold creams, soft ice cream, etc.

In particular, the aim of this innovation is to provide a machine formaking a liquid or semi-liquid food product (cold or ice beverage), inparticular but not limited to products such as slushes, sorbets, creams,soft ice cream, etc., that allows the icy product present in the tank tobe quickly and easily extracted.

These and other aims are substantially achieved by the machine formaking liquid or semi-liquid products (cold or ice beverages) asdescribed in the appended claims.

Further features and advantages are more apparent in the detaileddescription of a non-limiting example embodiment of the innovation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The technical features of the invention, with reference to the aboveaims, are clearly described in the claims below and its advantages aremore apparent from the detailed description which follows, withreference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a non-limitingexample embodiment of the invention, and in which:

FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate the machine according to the innovation;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the machine, with some parts cut away tobetter illustrate the cooling airflow in the machine 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of the thermaltreatment plant of the machine according to the innovation;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of the thermaltreatment plant of the machine according to the innovation;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a third embodiment of the thermaltreatment plant of the machine according to the innovation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes amachine for making cold products (that is to say, products suitable forbeing made at a temperature below 0° C.) such as slushes, sorbets,creams, soft ice cream, cold creams, etc.

More generally, the machine 1 is adapted to make and dispense cold orice beverages.

The machine 1 for making and dispensing cold or ice beverages, such ascool drinks, slushes, sorbets and the like, comprises at least:

-   -   a containment and processing tank 2 for the product to be        dispensed which has a front wall 3, which is equipped at the        bottom of it with a dispensing mouth 5 for dispensing the        beverage,    -   a dispenser 4, located at the beverage dispensing mouth 5 and        able to be turned on or off to allow the beverage to be        dispensed;    -   a thermal treatment cylinder 8 located inside the containment        tank 2;    -   a stirrer 12 located outside an outer surface of said thermal        treatment cylinder 8 and adapted to rotate about a respective        axis of rotation X1;    -   a thermal treatment plant 10 comprising a first cooling circuit        and a second heating circuit, the first cooling circuit being        defined at least by a first exchanger 6 associated with the        thermal treatment cylinder 8, by a second heat exchanger 7, by        an auxiliary exchanger 31, by a pressure reducing unit 16, by a        compressor 11 and by respective pipes (36, 35), and the second        circuit being defined at least by the first exchanger 6        associated with the thermal treatment cylinder 8, by the        auxiliary exchanger 31, by the compressor 11 and by respective        pipes (32, 30). The thermal treatment plant 10 also comprising a        selective connecting unit 21 configured for turning on, in a        first cooling configuration, the first cooling circuit, for        applying a thermodynamic cooling cycle to the product in the        tank 2, or for turning on, in a second heating configuration,        the second heating circuit, for applying a hot gas thermodynamic        heating cycle to the product in the tank 2.

According to another aspect, the machine 1 preferably comprises acontainment compartment 13 at least for the second heat exchanger 7 andthe compressor 11.

The machine 1 further and preferably comprises, according to anotheraspect, at least one first airflow intake cavity 14A in fluidcommunication with said containment compartment 13 and with the outsideenvironment and at least one second airflow release cavity 14B in fluidcommunication with said containment compartment 13 and with the outsideenvironment.

It should be noticed that said second release cavity 14B is locatedabove the first intake cavity 14A (that is to say, higher up), so as tocreate an airflow with a component moving from the bottom upwards.

In use, the fact that the first intake cavity 14A and the second releasecavity 14B are at two different heights means that it is possible tocreate an airflow that passes through the inner compartment 13.

It should be noticed that, preferably, the airflow has a vertical(ascending) component and a horizontal component (directed from thefront part of the machine 1 to the back part of it).

With reference to the stirrer 12, it should be noticed that said stirrer12 is a helical stirrer.

It should be noticed that the thermal treatment cylinder 8 comprises alongitudinal inner cavity (not illustrated), in which a motiontransmission shaft passes freely.

The motion transmission shaft (not illustrated) is coupled to thestirrer 12, preferably to the front portion of the stirrer 12.

Preferably, the machine 1 also comprises an (electronic) control anddrive unit U.

Even more preferably, the machine 1 comprises a selection interface I,operatively acting on said (electronic) control and drive unit U foradjusting the operation of one or more elements of the machine 1.

There follows a description of the refrigerating plant 10, withparticular reference to what is illustrated in the appended FIG. 5.

In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the refrigerating plant 10preferably comprises a first pipe 20A connecting the first exchanger 6to the compressor 11, in particular a pipe connecting the outfeed 6B ofthe first exchanger 6 to the infeed 11A of the compressor 11.

The machine 1 comprises, downstream of said compressor 11 (withreference to the direction of normal circulation of the refrigerantfluid), a selective connecting unit 21.

The selective connecting unit 21 is configured for alternatelyconnecting the outfeed 11B of the compressor 11 to the infeed 6A of thefirst exchanger 6 or to the infeed 7A of the second exchanger 7.

It should be noticed that the selective connecting unit 21 is adapted tooperate between a first configuration, in which it connects the outfeed11B of the compressor to the infeed 6A of the first exchanger, and asecond configuration in which it connects the outfeed 11B of thecompressor to the infeed 7A of the second exchanger 7.

It should be noticed that, preferably, the control unit U is operativelyconnected to the selective connecting unit 21, for controlling it insuch a way as to switch it to the two configurations, that is to say,the first configuration and the second configuration.

Preferably, the selective connecting unit 21 is a multi-way valve, withone infeed and two outfeeds.

More generally, the selective connecting unit 21 is equipped with oneinfeed and two outfeeds.

The valve, or more generally the selective connecting unit 21, isconfigured to, selectively and alternately, put its own infeed 21A influid communication with one or the other of its own outfeeds (21B,21C).

Preferably, the control unit U controls the selective connecting unit21.

It should be noticed that the selective connecting unit 21 is normallyin the first configuration when the machine 1 is in a production mode:in this mode the first exchanger 6 removes heat from the product in thetank 2, that is to say, a thermodynamic cooling cycle is carried out(preferably with vapor compression).

It should be noticed that the refrigerating plant 10 comprises a circuitin which a thermal carrier fluid is present, circulating in thecompressor 11, first exchanger 6, second exchanger 7 and pressurereducing (i.e.: throttling) unit 16.

It should be noticed that the selective connecting unit 21 is normallyin the second configuration when the machine 1 is in a defrost mode: inthis mode the first exchanger 6 transfers heat to the surface of thecylinder 8 located in the tank 2.

It should be noticed that, in that second configuration, the plant 10implements a “hot gas” technique, in which the first exchanger 6transfers heat into the tank; in use, the refrigerant fluid, in the formof a gas is made to recirculate between the compressor and the firstexchanger 6.

The refrigerant fluid, in the form of a gas heats up and transfers heatto the cylinder 8.

According to one aspect, the selection interface I comprises at leastone control I1 for setting the configuration of the selective connectingunit 21 (between the first and the second operating modes), that is tosay, for switching between the two configurations.

It should be noticed that the plant 10 comprises, at the outfeed 7B ofthe second exchanger 7, that is to say, downstream of the secondexchanger 7, the pressure reducing unit 16.

In other words, the outfeed 7B of the second exchanger 7 is connected tothe infeed 16A of the pressure reducing unit 16.

In contrast, the infeed 7A of the second exchanger 7 is connected to anoutfeed 21C of the connecting unit 21.

Said pressure reducing unit 16 is preferably a throttle (expansion)valve.

Preferably, the outfeed 16B of the pressure reducing unit 16 isconnected to the infeed 6A of the first exchanger 6.

There follows a description of the thermal treatment plant 10, withparticular reference to what is illustrated in the appended FIG. 6(first embodiment).

FIG. 6 shows a thermal treatment plant 10 for a tank 2, that is to say,adapted to cool the product in a tank 2.

In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the thermal treatment plant 10preferably comprises a first pipe 36 connecting the first exchanger 6 tothe compressor 11, in particular a pipe 36 connecting the outfeed 6B ofthe first exchanger 6 to the infeed 11A of the compressor 11.

It should be noticed that located in said pipe 36 there is a furtherheat exchanger 31, which is interposed between the compressor 11 and thefirst exchanger 6, in particular located between the infeed 11A of thecompressor 11 and the outfeed 6B of the first exchanger 6 (along saidpipe 36).

The selective connecting unit 21 comprises at least one first valve 41,associated with the first circuit for closing it/opening it and at leastone second valve 51, associated with the second circuit for closingit/opening it.

It should be noticed that the first and second circuits share severalcomponents and pipes, whilst from the outfeed 11B of the compressor tothe infeed 6A of the first exchanger said first and second circuits havetwo pipes C1,C2 (branches of the circuit) that are separate andparallel.

The selective connecting unit 21 is operatively active on each of saidtwo pipes C1,C2 (branches of the circuit) that are separate andparallel.

In particular, the first valve 41 is active on the pipe C1 whilst thesecond valve is active on the pipe C2.

Preferably, the first valve 41 and the second valve 51 are switchedsimultaneously.

Therefore, the control unit is configured for controlling the firstvalve 41 and the second valve 51 in such a way as to switch themsimultaneously.

More precisely, when the first valve 41 is open and the second valve 51is closed, and vice versa.

The second valve 51 is located downstream of said compressor 11 (withreference to the direction of normal circulation of the refrigerantfluid), for closing a pipe 32 (which is part of the plant 10).

The pipe 32 connects the outfeed 11B of the compressor with the infeed6A of the first exchanger 6.

Said valve 51 allows the pipe 32 to be opened or closed, that is to say,it may be switched between a closed configuration of the pipe 32 and anopen configuration of the pipe 32.

Therefore, it should be noticed that with the second valve 51 in theclosed configuration, the thermal carrier fluid passes through thesecond exchanger 7, the auxiliary exchanger 31, the pressure reducingunit 16, the first exchanger 6 and the compressor 11, that is to say, itcirculates along the entire first circuit.

In that situation, the first valve 41 is open.

In that situation, the second valve 51 is closed.

The first valve 41 and the second valve 51 are located on parallelbranches C1, C2 which connect, respectively, the outfeed 11B of thecompressor 11 with the infeed 6A of the first exchanger 6.

More precisely, in that closed configuration, the thermal plant 10allows a vapor-compression thermodynamic cycle to be carried out (thefluid flows in the first circuit, performing a vapor-compressionthermodynamic cycle between the various components).

It should be noticed that, according to that thermodynamic cycle, thefirst heat exchanger 6 absorbs heat from the liquid or semi-liquidproduct in the tank 2, cooling the liquid or semi-liquid product.

In contrast, it should be noticed that in the heating configuration ofthe selective connecting unit 21, the thermal carrier fluid flowsthrough the first exchanger 6, the compressor 11, the pipe 32 and thefurther exchanger 31, that is to say, along the second circuit.

More precisely, in that heating configuration of the selectiveconnecting unit 21, the thermal plant 10 carries out a hot gasthermodynamic cycle.

It should be noticed that in the heating configuration of the selectiveconnecting unit 21, the second valve 51 is open whilst the first valve41 is closed.

It should be noticed that, according to that hot gas thermodynamiccycle, the first heat exchanger 6 transfers heat to the liquid orsemi-liquid product in the tank 2, defrosting the liquid or semi-liquidproduct.

Preferably, the control unit U controls the selective connecting device21.

It should be noticed that the selective connecting device 21 is normallyin the first configuration when the machine 1 is in a production mode:in this mode the first exchanger 6 removes heat from the product in thetank 2, that is to say, a thermodynamic cooling cycle is carried out(preferably a vapor-compression thermodynamic cycle).

It should be noticed that the selective connecting unit 21 is normallyin the second heating configuration when the machine 1 is in a defrostmode: in this mode the first exchanger 6 transfers heat to the surfaceof the cylinder 8 located in the tank 2.

It should be noticed that, in that second configuration, the plant 10implements a “hot gas” technique, in which the first exchanger 6transfers heat into the tank; in use, the refrigerant fluid, in the formof a gas is made to recirculate between the compressor 11 and the firstexchanger 6.

The refrigerant fluid, in the form of a gas heats up and transfers heatto the cylinder 8 due to circulation in the second circuit and inparticular due to heating in the compressor 11.

In this way, advantageously, it is possible to extremely quicklydefrost, for cleaning and/or maintenance, the product accumulated in thetank 2.

It should be noticed that said operation is normally carried out by theoperators when the product in the tank 2 needs to be substituted,because it has been in the tank 2 for too long, which is incompatiblewith food safety and/or selling.

Thanks to the defrost technique implemented above, the time required forthat operation is significantly reduced.

It should be noticed that switching between the first and secondconfigurations of the selective connecting unit 21 may occur at anytime, when production, maintenance or cleaning require the switch to oneor the other configuration (first or second).

According to one aspect, the selection interface I comprises at leastone control I1 for setting the configuration of the selective connectingunit 21 (between the first and the second configuration), that is tosay, for switching between the two configurations.

It should be noticed that the plant 10 comprises, at the outfeed 7B ofthe second exchanger 7, that is to say, downstream of the secondexchanger 7, the pressure reducing unit 16.

More precisely, the second exchanger 7 is connected to the furtherexchanger 31 by means of a pipe 33.

The further exchanger 31 is connected to the first exchanger 6 by meansof a pipe 35.

It should be noticed that located in said pipe 35 is the pressurereducing unit 16, which is therefore operatively interposed (in thefirst circuit) between the further exchanger 31 and the first exchanger6.

Said throttling unit 16 is preferably a throttle valve.

Preferably, the outfeed 16B of the throttling unit 16 is connected tothe infeed 6A of the first exchanger 6.

It should be noticed that the outfeed 6B of the first exchanger isconnected to the infeed 11A of the compressor by means of a pipe 36(that pipe 36 is shared by the first and second circuit).

In particular, said pipe 36 affects the further exchanger 31.

Preferably, the plant 10 comprises an additional pressure reducingelement 46, located in the pipe 35 upstream of the pressure reducingunit 16 (more precisely between the additional exchanger 31 and thepressure reducing unit 16).

Said additional pressure reducing element 46 is part of the firstcircuit.

There follows a description of further aspects relating to the machine1.

It should be noticed that, preferably, the machine 1 comprises a sensor37, associated with the tank 2, and adapted to detect a parameter(shape, geometry, quantity) concerning the ice present in the tank 2.

Said parameter may be, for example, one or more of the following: thequantity of ice, the dimensions (medium or maximum) of the ice crystals,etc.

Preferably, the control unit U is configured for adjusting one or morecomponents of the thermal treatment plant 10 based on the signal of saidsensor 37, in particular when the selective connecting unit 21 is in thefirst cooling configuration (that is to say, the machine 1 is in theproduction mode).

It should be noticed that, preferably, according to the above aspect,the control unit U is configured for adjusting the power (in particularthe speed) of the compressor 11.

Preferably, the control unit U is configured for automatically switchingthe selective connecting unit 21 from the first cooling configuration tothe second heating configuration (that is to say, for automaticallyswitching from the production mode to the defrost mode).

It should be noticed that, preferably, the control unit U is configuredfor automatically switching the selective connecting unit 21 from thefirst cooling configuration to the second heating configuration based ona machine operating parameter.

Preferably, said machine operating parameter comprises a parameter thatis one or more of the following: product temperature in the tank 2,temperature of the outside environment, product consistency, stirrermotor absorption, etc.

Preferably, according to this aspect, the machine 1 comprises one ormore sensors adapted to detect a machine operating parameter (inparticular a parameter that is one or more of the following: producttemperature in the tank 2, temperature of the outside environment,product consistency, stirrer motor absorption, etc.).

Therefore, the control unit U is electrically connected to said one ormore sensors for automatically switching the selective connecting unit21 from the first cooling configuration to the second heatingconfiguration based on a machine operating parameter detected by saidone or more sensors.

Preferably, defrosting occurs as follows.

Defrosting comprises an initial heating step.

The selective connecting unit 21 is first switched from the firstcooling configuration to the second heating configuration, so as to heatthe product, that is to say, product residues, in the tank 2.

In this step, the compressor 11 is kept active.

Then, defrosting comprises a step of switching the selective connectingunit 21 from the second heating configuration to the first coolingconfiguration.

In this way, the product in the tank 2 is cooled.

FIG. 7 shows a machine 1 with two tanks and a single thermal treatmentplant 10 (which allows thermal treatment of the product in both tanks2).

It should be noticed that the two tanks 2 may be independent, that is tosay, each tank 2 may be kept in production, defrosting, or inactiveindependently of the other.

The embodiment of the thermal treatment plant 10 in FIG. 7 is a singlethermal treatment plant 10 for both tanks 2.

According to an alternative embodiment, defrosting may be carried out bymeans of manual activation.

In the machine 1 an ascending vertical cooling airflow is created, whichstrikes the components of the machine 1 belonging to the thermaltreatment plant 10 which are adapted to release thermodynamic heat(preferably the compressor 11 and the second exchanger 11).

In this way, the machine 1 is energy efficient, since the cooling flowthat is established by the arrangement of the first airflow intakecavity 14A and the second airflow release cavity 14B is optimum forextremely rapid removal of the heat from the second exchanger 7, therebymaximizing the energy efficiency of the machine 1.

According to another aspect, the containment compartment 13 is formed bya front wall 15A, by a rear wall 15B, by an upper wall 15C, by a lowerwall 15D, and by a pair of lateral walls (15E, 15F), right and left.

It should be noticed that the containment compartment 13 is locatedbelow the containment tank 2.

Preferably, the machine 1 comprises a frame 17 and one or more of thefront wall 15A, the rear wall 15B, the upper wall 15C, the lower wall15D, and the pair of lateral walls (15E, 15F), right and left, areremovable relative to the frame 17.

Preferably, said frame 17 is formed by one or more vertical members.

It should be noticed that, preferably, the compressor 11 is locatedabove the lower wall 15D.

It should be noticed that, preferably, the second exchanger 7 is locatedabove the lower wall 15D.

Preferably, the airflow (natural or with forced circulation) strikes thesecond exchanger 7; more preferably, said airflow also strikes thecompressor 11.

It should be noticed that, preferably, the machine 1 is equipped with alid 18 hinged to the containment tank 2, for allowing loading of thebasic product to be processed.

Preferably, the first intake cavity 14A is made in the lower wall 15D.

Even more preferably, the first intake cavity 14A is made in the frontwall 15A.

According to another aspect, the first intake cavity 14A is made in oneof the lateral walls (15E, 15F).

According to another aspect, the second release cavity 14B is made inthe rear wall 15B.

According to another aspect, the second release cavity 14B is made inone of the lateral walls (15E, 15F).

It should be noticed that the machine 1 may comprise a plurality offirst intake cavities 14A, and a plurality of second release cavities14B.

In such a case, preferably the first intake cavities 14A are made in thefront and/or lower wall, and/or in the lateral walls, whilst the secondrelease cavities 14B are made in the rear wall and/or in the lateralwalls.

Said intake cavity 14A and/or release cavity 14B may be made in the formof an opening or of a slit or of any interruption (including absence) ofone of the walls of the containment compartment 13.

According to another aspect, the machine 1 may comprise a fan, locatedin said containment compartment 13, for generating a forced (ascending)cooling airflow.

With reference to the accompanying figures, it should be noticed thatthey show a double machine.

In this case, that machine is equipped with two product processing anddispensing units, each comprising:

-   -   a containment and processing tank 2 for the product to be        dispensed which has a front wall 3, which is equipped at the        bottom of it with a dispensing mouth 5 for dispensing the        beverage,    -   a dispenser 4, located at the beverage dispensing mouth 5 and        able to be turned on or off to allow the beverage to be        dispensed;    -   a thermal treatment cylinder 8 located inside the containment        tank 2;    -   a stirrer 12 located outside an outer surface of said thermal        treatment cylinder 8 and adapted to rotate about a respective        axis of rotation X1.

With reference to the thermal treatment plant 10, the double machine 1may comprise two independent refrigerating plants, each adapted to cooland/or heat the products in one tank 2 or a single, shared thermaltreatment plant.

In any case, the machine 1 comprises two first heat exchangers 6, eachassociated with one of the thermal treatment cylinders 8.

What is claimed is:
 1. A machine for making and dispensing cold or icebeverages, such as cool drinks, slushes, sorbets and the like,comprising at least: a containment and processing tank for the productto be dispensed which has a front wall, which is equipped at the bottomof it with a dispensing mouth for dispensing the beverage, a dispenser,located at the beverage dispensing mouth and able to be turned on or offto allow the beverage to be dispensed; a thermal treatment cylinderlocated inside the containment tank; a stirrer located outside an outersurface of said thermal treatment cylinder and adapted to rotate about arespective axis of rotation; a thermal treatment plant comprising afirst cooling circuit and a second heating circuit, the first coolingcircuit being defined at least by a first exchanger associated with thethermal treatment cylinder, by a second heat exchanger, by an auxiliaryexchanger, by a pressure reducing unit, by a compressor and byrespective pipes, and the second circuit being defined at least by thefirst exchanger associated with the thermal treatment cylinder, by theauxiliary exchanger, by the compressor and by respective pipes, thethermal treatment plant also comprising a selective connecting unitconfigured for turning on, in a first cooling configuration, the firstcooling circuit, for applying a thermodynamic cooling cycle to theproduct in the tank, or for turning on, in a second heatingconfiguration, the second heating circuit, for applying a hot gasthermodynamic heating cycle to the product in the tank.
 2. The machineaccording to claim 1, wherein the selective connecting unit comprises atleast one first valve, associated with the first circuit for closingit/opening it and at least one second valve, associated with the secondcircuit for closing it/opening it.
 3. The machine according to claim 1,comprising, downstream of said compressor, a selective connecting unit,configured for alternately connecting the outfeed of the compressor toan infeed of the first exchanger, according to a first configuration ofthe selective connecting unit, or for connecting the outfeed of thecompressor with an infeed of the second exchanger, according to a secondconfiguration of the selective connecting unit.
 4. The machine accordingto claim 3, wherein the selective connecting unit is equipped with oneinfeed and two outfeeds.
 5. The machine according to claim 4, whereinthe selective connecting unit is defined by a multi-way valve, with oneinfeed and two outfeeds.
 6. The machine according to claim 1, whereinthe selective connecting unit is placed in the second configuration sothat the first exchanger transfers heat to an outer surface of thecylinder, that outer surface being located inside the tank.
 7. Themachine according to claim 1, also comprising an electronic control anddrive unit.
 8. The machine according to claim 7, comprising a selectioninterface, operatively acting on said electronic control and drive unitfor adjusting the operation of one or more elements of the machine. 9.The machine according to claim 7, wherein the control unit isoperatively connected to the selective connecting unit, for controllingit in such a way as to switch it to the two configurations, that is tosay, between the first configuration and the second configuration. 10.The machine according to claim 7, wherein the selection interfacecomprises at least one control for setting the configuration of theselective connecting unit, between the first and the second operatingmodes.
 11. The machine according to claim 7, wherein the control unit isoperatively connected to the selective connecting unit, for controllingit in such a way as to switch it to the two configurations, that is tosay, between the first configuration and the second configuration,automatically.
 12. The machine according to claim 11, comprising asensor adapted to detect at least one operating and/or machine parameterand wherein the control unit is operatively connected to said sensor fordetecting a signal relative to the above-mentioned at least oneoperating and/or machine parameter, and is configured for controllingthe selective connecting unit so as to switch it depending on saidsignal relative to the above-mentioned at least one operating and/ormachine parameter.
 13. The machine according to claim 12, wherein thecontrol unit controls the selective connecting unit for switching itfrom the first cooling configuration to the second heating configurationif said signal relative to the above-mentioned at least one operatingand/or machine parameter is greater than a predetermined value.
 14. Themachine according to claim 12, wherein the sensor is adapted to detectan operating parameter that is representative of the consistency of theproduct in the tank.
 15. The machine according to claim 12, comprising amotor connected to the stirrer for driving its rotation and wherein thesensor is adapted to detect an absorption of said motor and said controlunit controls the selective connecting unit for switching it from thefirst cooling configuration to the second heating configuration if saidabsorption is greater than a predetermined value.
 16. The machineaccording to claim 1, comprising a sensor adapted to detect a parameterthat is representative of shape, size or quantitative properties of theice in the tank.
 17. The machine according to claim 16, wherein theselective connecting unit controls one or more components of the thermaltreatment plant based on the signal of the sensor adapted to detect aparameter that is representative of shape, size or quantitativeproperties of the ice in the tank.